Railway Budget

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Railway is a guided means of land transport designed to be used by trains, both passengers and freight are transported on railways. Rail transport is an extremely energy efficient means of transport. In all if the conditions are right, a train needs 50-70% less energy to transport a given tonnage of freight or to transport a given number of passengers than by road. It is also one of the safest modes of transport and also an efficient means of transport, because a rail line can carry more passengers or freight than a four laned road.

History Of Railways In India-Important Years

1832

Plans were proposed to introduce a rail network in India.

1844

Private entrepreneurs set up a private rail system in India.

1851

Trains became operational.

1853

Passenger trains were introduced.

1875

95 million pounds were invested into Indian railways by British companies.

1895

Indian locomotives began to operate in the country.

1901

A Railway Board was established.

1907

The government obtained total control over most of the rail companies.

1908

First electric locomotive was introduced.

1947

40% of the railway network came under Pakistan's possession.

1951

Nationalization of the rail system in India took place.

1952

Six railway zones were introduced.

1995

Steam locomotives became obsolete. Only diesel and electric locomotives were operational.

1987-1995

The Indian Railways reservation system was computerized.

Indian Railway Budget: A Brief Summary
The Indian railways have one of the largest networks of trains in the world and since the first rail from Bombay to Thane stated in 1853, Indian railways has come a long way. Indian railways carry millions of passengers daily from one place to another place. The ministry of railways controls the Indian railways. Every year the ministry of railways presents the Indian railway budget in the parliament. The Budget is presented two days before the general budget. It has to be passed by the Lok Sabha before it is accepted. The rail budget deals with the improvement in the existing trains and contains details of the new trains. It also gives details about the passenger fares and tarries to be levied.

Highlights of Railway Budget 2009-10 are as follows:-

Reduced Tariffs

For ordinary passenger trains there is reduction in passenger fares by Rupee 1 for fares costing up to Rs 50 per passenger for journey above 10 km.

For all mail/express and ordinary passenger trains, second class and sleeper class fares are to be reduced by 2 per cent for tickets costing Rs 50 and more per passenger.

Also there is to be a fare Reduction of 2 per cent for AC First Class, AC II tier, AC III tier and AC Chair Car.

New Passenger Services

43 new train services to be started in 2009-10.

Extension of 14 trains envisaged.

Frequency of 14 trains is to be increased.

Indian Railways' Financial Health During The Year 2008-09

Freight loading target was retained at 850 mt.

Ordinary Working Expenses (OWE) increased to Rs 55,000 crore (Rs 550 billion) in the R.E and the appropriation to Pension Fund to Rs 10,500 crore (Rs 105 billion). This is done keeping in view the increased financial burden due to implementation of VI Central Pay Commission.

Kashmir Valley's first train service commenced between Anantnag and Rajwansher. This is to be followed by extension of rail services to Baramulla and Qazigund.

The number of consequential accidents has come down to 194.

Work on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor commenced near Delhi on 10th February, 2009 while Work on Western DFC to commence this month.

completion of successful trials for running electric locomotives with OHE at a height of about 7.5 mts in preparation for running double stack containers on electrified Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

Indian Railway Budget Estimates For The Year 2009-10

Freight loading targeted at 910 mt while number of passengers estimated to grow by around 7%.